HATTIESBURG -- Alan Howze doesn't carry himself like a player who went through an rough season a year ago.

Howze, an Ocean Springs native, was also part of Southern Miss' 12-win C-USA championship team in 2011. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound linebacker is looking to help that Golden Eagle pride return this season.

''You have to be proud,'' Howze said. ''As an athlete, your biggest trait is being able to forget. Whether it was 12-2, like we were a couple years ago, or 1-11 like last year, you have to forget the past.

''If you represent yourself in a proud way that's how you feel and how you will play. It's not that I walked in (media room) like we were the champions. But I walked in here to let people know that Southern Miss is not weak. We have good players and we're going to be a good team.''

Second-year head coach Todd Monken, the former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, said he believes the Golden Eagles will be much improved on defense, with Howze leading the way.

''Alan is a guy who leads be example,'' Monken said. ''He is a prideful guy and a very smart guy who doesn't do a lot of talking."

Howze was also instrumental in the hiring of Southern Miss defensive coordinator Dave Duggan, Monken said. Before spending last season at North Carolina, Duggan was co-defensive coordinator at Southern Miss and served as linebackers coach during the 2011 championship season.

"(Howze) is a great resource for our staff," Monken said. "When I was trying to hire a defensive coordinator, I was thinking about Dave Duggan. who had called Alan. I asked Alan about Dave and he (Howze) was part of me hiring Dave Duggan.''

Howze, a running back in high school, was solid last season in his first year starting at middle linebacker. Starting all 12 games, he collected 66 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

When the horn sounded in a season-ending 42-24 loss at Memphis, personal achievements were not on Howze's radar. Redemption was, however.

''I thought I would have more than 66 tackles,'' Howze said. ''But at the end of the day, it's all about the wins and losses. To have what happened to us last year was very disappointing.

''It was frustrating because at times, things were clicking. Then thing would go down hill. The year before, things were out way and we won a championship. Last year, nothing fell in place like we wanted. It's a new year and we're ready to get back to playing Southern Miss style of football. That's why I am walking around (Media Day) with the look of confidence. I know what we're going to do this year.''

Every August, Todd Monken and the Golden Eagles visit the Dubard School and bring excitement to a group of local students. "Who doesn't like being around kids," says Southern Miss head football coach Todd Monken. "It's always good to see a smile on kids' faces," says Southern Miss running back Kendrick Hardy. "He and the players did a fantastic job of pumping up our children, not just for Golden Eagle football, but for learning," says USM DuBard School for Language Disorders Director Maureen Martin.

The team continues the Black and Gold Day tradition that started before the students were even born.

"We've been doing this over 15 years - back to the Coach Jeff Bower days, and he's the one that started this and it's become a very important tradition for the DuBard School and our calendar every year," says Martin.

But Monken says the annual tradition is important to him as well. "It means a lot and it means a lot to have our players be able to take the time and come over, and I think it's a humbling experience," says Monken.

Monken traditionally takes a dozen players with him to this annual event.